The Star: March 22, 2018

The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday March 22 2018 33
Editorial supplied by
www.gardener.kiwi
season treats
Plant your greenhouse bulbs
a little earlier than you would
those grown in the garden.
Choose colourful pots as these,
too, will add colour to your
home in winter.
Avoid unglazed terracotta pots
where possible as these porous
containers allow the soil to dry
out too quickly. Some of the best
pots for greenhouse-grown bulbs
are those that have no holes in
the base but, instead, have a
raised, self-draining platform
built into the container. Using
these pots means you won’t have
to provide a drip tray when they
are eventually placed on the
window ledge.
Choose a quality bulb mix.
Homemade compost is an option
but, as it is not sterilised, you
may introduce disease into the
bulbs – something you don’t
want to do when you are aiming
for perfect blooms to bring
indoors. Maximise the space in
pots by planting bulbs in two
layers – the shoots of the under
layer of bulbs will find their own
way up to the light and once the
bulbs are in flower, the pot will
be brimming over with colour.
After planting, store the
containers of bulbs in a shady
spot, such as a garden shed
or underneath greenhouse
shelves. This helps the bulbs
form strong roots before they
begin putting their energy into
foliage. Once the green shoots
are 1–2cm high, move the pots
into the light and, if they have
been in a shed, transfer them to
the greenhouse. Taller plants,
such as daffodils and tulips, will
soon require staking. Use thin
supports for this as they can fit
easily down the side of the pots
(chopsticks are ideal). If foliage is
particularly lanky (as is often the
case with freesias) wind thread
(black is best as it is unobtrusive)
between the supports to help
hold up leaves.
As soon as buds show, it’s time
to bring your flowering bulbs
indoors to enjoy the pleasure
of watching them open. As the
plants are now in the heat of the
house, you will need to water
them more frequently.
Tend your treasures carefully
to keep them looking their
best: snip off yellowing leaves
and spent flowers and keep
a watchful eye out for overwintering
aphids, which may
suddenly spring into life in the
warmth of your home. If they do
make an appearance, treat them
with a spray of soapy water (1
teaspoon of hand soap dissolved
in a litre of hot water).
VERSATILE: (Clockwise from top left) – Rosemary detests wet feet and even mature bushes
can be lost over winter. Enjoy the fragrance of its pungent oils by growing a bush or two in the
greenhouse; Even though herbs are growing in the greenhouse, they won’t produce as they would
if outdoors over summer – so be sure to plant plenty; If you are not concerned with a second year
of flowering, bulbs can be grown in the greenhouse in very little soil; Create a pot brimming over
with colour by planting a double layer of bulbs; Once the bulbs are planted, keep them in a shady
spot until the shoots make an appearance – this encourages strong root development.
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